The implementation of sustainable agro-energy systems that integrate crop, livestock, and bioenergy production is attracting increasing interest from farmers. Livestock produces large amounts of ...animal manure which can serve as organic fertilizer for crops and pasture growth. However, the nutrients contained in manure can adversely affect air, water, and soil quality and pose a public health risk if not handled properly. Existing manure management practices vary widely on a global scale. Researchers are striving to identify appropriate manure management practices with the aim of environmental protection. Anaerobic digestion of manure and subsequent digestate (DG) processing technologies have been proposed to stabilize manure so that it can be safely used for land applications. DG, which represents digested substrate removed from the anaerobic reactor after recovery of biogas, is a rich source of N, P, K, and S, various micronutrients, and organic matter, the addition of which to the soil can stimulate soil microbial biomass metabolic activities thus improving soil ecosystem function. However, the optimal fertilization properties of DG can be lost if it is neither fully stabilized nor contains biodegradable materials. To overcome these problems, various processing technologies can be used to convert DG into value-added by-products. Composting has been proposed as one such preferred post-treatment that can convert DG into mature, stable, safe, humus- and nutrient-rich compost. Other processing technologies such as thermal drying, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis, membrane filtration, struvite precipitation, ammonia stripping, and evaporation have also been proposed for DG processing and nutrient recovery from DG. The objective of this review paper was to provide an overview of the current state of the art in DG management regulations and practices and to provide an update on the various processes that have been developed to meet DG stabilization requirements, with a focus on composting as one of the preferred solutions.
The research on lignocellulose pretreatments is generally performed through experiments that require substantial resources, are often time-consuming and are not always environmentally friendly. ...Therefore, researchers are developing computational methods which can minimize experimental procedures and save money. In this research, three machine learning methods, including Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), as well as their ensembles were evaluated to predict acid-insoluble detergent lignin (AIDL) content in lignocellulose biomass. Three different types of harvest residue (maize stover, soybean straw and sunflower stalk) were first pretreated in a laboratory oven with hot air under two different temperatures (121 and 175 °C) at different duration (30 and 90 min) with the aim of disintegration of the lignocellulosic structure, i.e., delignification. Based on the leave-one-out cross-validation, the XGB resulted in the highest accuracy for all individual harvest residues, achieving the coefficient of determination (R2) in the range of 0.756–0.980. The relative variable importances for all individual harvest residues strongly suggested the dominant impact of pretreatment temperature in comparison to its duration. These findings proved the effectiveness of machine learning prediction in the optimization of lignocellulose pretreatment, leading to a more efficient lignin destabilization approach.
The aim of this research was to investigate the slaughter indicators, carcass measures, and meat quality of lambs fattened with spelt. Lambs consumed various feed mixtures (1000 g day
lamb
): ...I-control group; II-group with 10% dehulled spelt; III-group with 20% dehulled spelt. In the blood, the concentrations of minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron), biochemical parameters (urea, glucose, total proteins, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, ß-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), and hepatic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and creatine kinase) were determined. After slaughter, carcass development was measured. Samples of musculus semimembranosus were taken, of which the physical properties were analyzed. By analyzing the production properties of the lambs, we found that the slaughter characteristics of the lamb carcasses and the physical properties of the lamb meat as well as most biochemical indicators and enzymes did not significantly differ. The concentrations of albumin were increased in the groups with 10% and 20% spelt, as was the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the group with 20% spelt. The presented results indicate that spelt is an appropriate ingredient in the diet for weaned lambs.
The Black Slavonian pig is an autochthonous Croatian breed, lard production type created by planned crossing at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Due to lower productivity, black ...Slavonian pig was suppressed by meat pig breeds. For its preservation, the state also provides monetary incentives. In the long term, preserving the biodiversity of black Slavonian pigs is only possible on an economic basis, through the production of traditional meat products (kulen, ham, bacon, cracklings, fresh meat) with added value. With this in mind, it is necessary to standardize the quality of produced pigs and meat products, so that they become a recognizable brand on the domestic and foreign markets.
A total of 96 Black Slavonian pigs were subjected to the research, in which they were split into 6 groups. Three groups (100, 120, and 130 kg) were fed a higher level (HL) of crude protein in fodder ...mixtures (CPFM), and three groups (100, 120, and 130 kg) were fed a lower level (LL) of CPFM. After the pigs were slaughtered, pig carcasses were dissected and the meat and halves quality indicators were determined. According to the influence of the final body weight (BW) and nutrition of pigs on the quality of their halves, meat, and dry fermented sausages (kulens), it was concluded that feeding an HL of CPFM increased the proportion of loin, belly rib part, and chin and increased the muscle tissue in the ham, loin, shoulder, neck, and belly rib parts. However, the chemical composition of the meat and the sensory properties of the kulen were not significantly affected by feeding the pigs an HL of CPFM. It was concluded that, by selecting the final BW and adjusting the feeding strategies for pigs, it is possible to modify the conformation and composition of pig carcasses and the quality of meat and kulens produced from the Black Slavonian pig, which is important because consumers prefer products with certain characteristics and of a standard quality and are ready to pay for them.
The aim of the present study was to determine the lactation stage effect on the concentration of essential and selected toxic elements in the sheep’s milk of Dubrovačka ruda. The research was ...conducted with 23 sheep, average age of 4 years, of 3rd lactation, while the milk samples were taken during the early (60th day), middle (90th day) and late (120th day) lactation stage. The sheep were selected according to uniformed body development, adequate health status, body condition, equable age (4 years), parity (3rd lactation), stage of lactation (±7 days) and litter size (single). Sheep were reared on the extensive Mediterranean pastures, reared indoors afterwards, fed with hay ad libitum and feed mixtures in average 0.5 kg/day. Milk sample was collected during morning milking from each sheep. The digested samples were analyzed with continuous flow hydride generation technique using inductively coupled plasma for Ca, Mg, K, P, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Mo, Co, Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations. Significant increase of Mg, Na, Se, Mn, Mo and Cd concentrations were found in milk as well as decrease of K concentration during the lactation. Although the concentration of Ca, Cu, Cr and As in milk during the lactation is increased, the differences between the lactation stages were not observed. Concentrations of P, Fe, Ni, Pb and Hg in milk of Dubrovačka ruda did not differ during the lactation. The low concentrations of Cr, Cd, Pb, As, Hg in milk indicate the safety for consumers and preserved environment of Dubrovnik-Neretva County.
Crna slavonska svinja autohtona je hrvatska pasmina, polumasnoga tipa, nastala planskim križanjem krajem 19. i početkom 20. stoljeća. Zbog niže proizvodnosti, potisnule su ju mesnate pasmine svinja. ...Za njeno očuvanje država daje i novčane poticaje. Dugoročno, očuvanje biorazličitosti crne slavonske svinje moguće je samo na ekonomskoj osnovi, kroz proizvodnju tradicionalnih mesnih proizvoda (kulen, šunka, slanina, čvarci, svježe meso) s dodanom vrijednošću. U tome pravcu, potrebno je standardizirati kvalitetu proizvedenih svinja i mesnih proizvoda, kako bi postali prepoznatljivi brend (marka) na domaćem i inozemnome tržištu.
Cilj ovoga istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj dodatka propolisa i/ili pčelinjeg peluda krmnim smjesama brojlera na sastav mikrobiološke flore voljke. Istraživanje je provedeno na ukupno 200 ...jednodnevnih pilića hibrida Ross 308 ravnomjerno raspoređenih spolova, koji su bili podijeljeni u pet skupina. Tijekom cijeloga pokusa kontrolna je skupina pilića hranjena krmnom smjesom, dok su pokusne skupine pilića hranjene istom krmnom smjesom uz dodatak propolisa i pčelinjeg peluda, svakim dodatkom zasebno ili u kombinaciji u određenome omjeru. Tov pilića trajao je 42 dana, podnim načinom držanja na stelji od drvene strugotine. Pilići su od 1. do 21. dana istraživanja bili hranjeni standardnom krmnom smjesom starter, a od 22. do 42. dana istraživanja krmnom smjesom finišer. Hranidba kao i napajanje pilića tijekom istraživanja bili su po volji. Na kraju istraživanja, 42. dan te nakon 10-satnog gladovanja slučajnim je odabirom žrtvovano po 10 pilića iz svake skupine. U sterilne bočice uzeti su uzorci sadržaja voljki u kojima se u ovlaštenom mikrobiološkom laboratoriju utvrđivao ukupni broj bakterija, broj bakterija iz roda Enterobacteriaceae te broj bakterija iz roda Lactobacillus. Mikrobiološka analiza sadržaja voljke pokazala je kako među skupinama pilića nisu postojale statistički značajne razlike u ukupnom broju bakterija i broju bakterija iz roda Lactobacillus dok su postojale statistički značajne razlike u broju bakterija iz roda Enterobacteriaceae (P=0,042) u sadržaju voljke pilića kontrolne i pokusnih skupina. Provedeno istraživanje potvrdilo je kako dodatak propolisa i/ili pčelinjeg peluda krmnoj smjesi za tov pilića značajno pozitivno utječe na pojavu korisnih i patogenih mikroorganizama u sadržaju voljke brojlera, što se očitovalo statistički značajno manjom vrijednosti broja bakterija iz roda Enterobacteriaceae u sadržaju voljke pilića pokusnih skupina 42. dana tova u odnosu na piliće kontrolne skupine.
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the addition of propolis and/or bee pollen to broiler feed mixtures on the composition of the microbiological flora of a broiler’s crop. The study was conducted on a total of 200 one-dayold chickens of the Ross 308 hybrid, evenly distributed between the sexes, which were divided into five groups. During the entire experiment, the control group of chickens was fed with a feed mixture, while the experimental groups of chickens were fed with the same feed mixture with the addition of propolis and bee pollen, each additive separately or in combination in a certain ratio. Fattening was conducted on the wooden sawdust, and lasted for 42 days. From days 1-21 of the study chickens were fed a feed mixture of starter, and from days 22-42 of the study they were fed a finisher feed mixture. During the study, feed and water were given to chickens’ ad libitum. At the end of the study, on the 42nd day and after a 10-hour starvation, 10 chickens were randomly selected from each group and sacrificed. Samples of the broiler’s crop contents were taken in sterile vials, in which the total number of bacteria, the number of bacteria from the genus Enterobacteriaceae and the number of bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus were determined in an authorized microbiological laboratory. Microbiological analysis of the broiler’s crop contents showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the groups of chickens in the total number of bacteria and the number of bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus, while there were statistically significant differences in the number of bacteria from the genus Enterobacteriaceae (P=0.042) in the broiler’s crop content of the chickens of the control and experimental groups. The present study confirmed that the addition of propolis and/or bee pollen to the feed mixtures has a significantly positive effect on the occurrence of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms in the contents of broiler’s crop, which was manifested by a statistically significantly lower number of bacteria from the genus Enterobacteriaceae in the broiler’s crop content of chickens of the experimental groups on the 42nd day of fattening compared to chickens of the control group.
Istraživanje je provedeno s po 24 svinje iz otvorenoga (ekstenzivnoga) i poluotvorenoga (poluintenzivnoga) sustava, od kojih su 12 muških kastrata i 12 nazimica. Svinje u oba sustava bile su tovljene ...do 100 kg (n = 12) i 130 kg (n = 12) tjelesne mase. Svinje iz otvorenoga sustava hranjene su na pašnjaku i na strništima, uz minimalno prihranjivanje kukuruzom (150g/dan) tijekom zime, kada nema zelene mase. Svinje iz poluotvorenoga sustava hranjene su po volji obrokom kombiniranim od krmne smjese i zelene lucerne. Krmna smjesa u prvoj fazi tova (30 - 60 kg tjelesne mase) imala je 14% sirovih proteina i 13,37 MJ ME/kg, a u drugoj fazi tova (60 – 130 kg tjelesne mase) imala je 12% sirovih proteina i 13,34 MJ ME/kg. Disekcija ohlađenih (+4°C) desnih svinjskih polovica obavljena je prema modificiranoj metodi Wenigera i sur. (1963.). Prema ovoj modifikaciji nije disecirana glava. Kvaliteta mesa (Muscullus longissimus dorsi) istražena je u pogledu pH vrijednosti, sposobnosti vezanja vode i boje. Mesnatost svinjskih polovica bila je veća kod svinja manjih tjelesnih masa (100 kg) u odnosu na svinje većih tjelesnih masa (130 kg) u oba sustava držanja, ali su te razlike bile značajne (p<0,05) samo u poluotvorenome sustavu. Svinje iz otvorenoga sustava imale su mesnatije polovice u odnosu na svinje iz poluotvorenoga sustava i pri manjim (100 kg) i pri većim (130 kg) tjelesnim masama, ali ne i statistički značajno (p>0,05) (49,23% i 44.99%; 46,56% i 42,82%). Utvrđen je značajan utjecaj sustava držanja i tjelesne mase svinja na neke pokazatelje kvalitete mesa. Meso svinja manje tjelesne mase iz otvorenog sustava imalo je značajno više (p<0,01) sirovih proteina od mesa svinja istih tjelesnih masa u poluotvorenom sustavu, kao i meso svinja veće tjelesne mase u odnosu na meso svinja manje tjelesne mase u poluotvorenome sustavu.
The research was carried out on 24 pigs kept in the outdoor (extensive) and 24 pigs kept in the semi-outdoor (semi-intensive) keeping system. In each group there were 12 barrows and 12 gilts. Pigs in both systems were fattened up to 100kg (n=12) and 130kg (n=12) body weight. The pigs from the indoor system were grazing on pastures and stubble-fields, with minimum addition of corn (150 g/day) during winter, when there is no green forage, whereas the pigs kept in the semi-outdoor system were fed ad libitum a combination of feed mixture and green alfalfa. The feed mixture used in the first fattening phase (30 - 60 kg body weight) contained 14% crude protein and 13.37MJ ME/kg, and in the second phase (60-130kg body weight) it contained 12% crude protein and 13.34MJ ME/kg. Dissection of cooled (+4°C) right half-carcasses was carried out according to modified Weniger et al. method (1963). Meat quality (Muscullus longissimus dorsi) was examined in terms of the pH value, water binding capacity and colour. The pH1 value of meat was determined 45 minutes post mortem and pH2 value 24 hours post mortem, by means of the pH-meter Mettler Toledo. Water binding capacity was determined according to Grau and Hamm (1952), and colour (CIE – L, a and b values) by means of a Minolta CR-410 chroma meter. Statistical processing of research results, variance analysis, was carried out by means of Stat. Soft. Inc. 2012. Meatiness of half-carcasses in both production systems was higher in pigs of lower body weight (100kg), compared to pigs of higher body weight (130kg). However, these differences were significant (p<0.05) only in the pigs kept in the semi-outdoor system. Pigs from the indoor system had meatier carcasses in relation to pigs from the semi-outdoor system both at lower (100 kg) and higher (130 kg) body weights, but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05) (49.23% and 44.99% : 46.56% and 42.82%). A significant influence of the keeping system and body weight was detected for some indicators of meat quality. Meat of pigs of lower body weight from the outdoor system had a significantly higher (p<0.01) level of crude protein than meat of pigs kept in the semi-outdoor system at the same body weight. No significant differences were detected in terms of crude fat content, regardless of the production system and body weight of pigs.
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